Starting next fall, all students at Paul Quinn College will have jobs, either on campus or with local businesses, during their entire enrollment. In exchange, they’ll get much cheaper tuition, making the school more affordable.
Bobby Blanchard
Bobby Blanchard joined The Texas Tribune’s audience team in 2016 and led the team from 2021 to 2023, strategizing to expand the organization’s reach and engagement across all platforms. A graduate of UT-Austin, Bobby spent his first year out of college at The Dallas Morning News as a reporting fellow, covering Texas politics and breaking news. He got his start in journalism in the poorly lit basement of The Daily Texan, followed by internships at the Houston Chronicle, KUT News and the Tribune. Born and raised in the Houston area, Bobby is a native Texan.
Posted in
Higher Education
Report: Powers Overruled UT Admissions Office
University of Texas at Austin President Bill Powers has helped secure college admittance for students over the objections of the admissions office, according to an external review of lawmaker and regent influence at the flagship campus.
Posted in
Politics
Rep. White Makes Waves, but She’s Not the First
State Rep. Molly White, R-Belton, is not the first Texas lawmaker to make comments offensive to the Muslim community.
Posted inState Government
A New Group of Patrick Advisers Will Reach Out to Grassroots
Also, a Senate Higher Ed member defends tuition deregulation, and the latest school finance case still has a long way to go before a final resolution.
Posted in
Politics
Tesla Motors, Car Dealers Clash Over Franchise Law
Monopolies are bad for consumers, both sides fighting over whether Tesla Motors should be allowed to sell its cars directly to Texans agreed Wednesday. But monopoly is in the eye of the beholder.
Posted in
Politics
Feb. 17 Runoff Set in Race for Kolkhorst’s House Seat
UPDATED: Gov. Greg Abbott announced Tuesday that a runoff will take place Feb. 17 in the special election for the House seat vacated by Lois Kolkhorst.
Posted in
State Government
Sen. Nelson Looks to Strengthen Contracting Oversight
Following a controversial no-bid deal at the Health and Human Services Commission, Sen. Jane Nelson, R-Flower Mound, filed a bill on Monday that seeks to strengthen oversight of state contracting.
Posted in
Politics
Nondiscrimination Ordinance Battle Goes Statewide
As fights brew in several Texas cities over nondiscrimination ordinances protecting gay people, state lawmakers are poised to dive into the fray.
Posted in
Politics
Three Special Election Runoffs to Be Decided Feb. 17
UPDATED: Gov. Greg Abbott announced Friday that Feb. 17 will be the runoff date for three special elections — Senate District 26, House District 17 and House District 123. Early voting will be Feb. 9-13.
Posted in
State Government
TxDOT Spends Millions in Tuition Reimbursements
The Texas Department of Transportation has spent about $10.6 million in education costs since 2002, nearly half what state agencies have spent in total on tuition reimbursements and other educational programs. Check out our breakdown.
